James Harden opts out, to re-sign with Clippers on 2-year, $81.5 million deal

Getting James Harden to re-sign with the Clippers was the focus of the offseason. President of basketball operations Lawrence Frank called keeping the 11-time All-Star a “priority” for the team.

The team didn’t have to wait long to find out if the superstar point guard intended to seek a deal with another team or stay put. Harden reportedly declined his $36.3 million player option on Sunday and is expected to sign a new two-year, $81.5 million deal, increasing his yearly salary and cementing his role on the veteran-laden team.

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According to ESPN, the second year of Harden’s deal has a player option and is partially guaranteed, which helps provide the Clippers with flexibility for the future and this coming season.

Harden, who turns 36 in August, earned All-NBA honors for the first time since 2019-20 after another stellar regular season in which he averaged 22.8 points and 8.7 assists per game. He was credited as key to keeping the Clippers afloat during Kawhi Leonard’s absence in the first half of the season.

“James was phenomenal, and we hope to continue to see his play,” Frank said last week after the first round of the draft.

The Harden deal gives the Clippers access to the $14.1 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which they could split among multiple players as they look to land a seasoned backup center and point guard.

Luke Kornet, who becomes a free agent when his current contract with the Boston Celtics expires, could be a solid addition as a backup to Ivica Zubac. The Celtics have stated their intention to keep the 7-foot-1 center, and the San Antonio Spurs have expressed interest in acquiring him as well.

The Clippers also have reportedly looked into re-signing Chris Paul, who played for the team from 2011-2017. Paul, who signed a one-year, $11 million deal with the Spurs last season, has said he wants to return to Los Angeles, where his family lives, or at least closer to California.

The Phoenix Suns are also among the teams that have expressed interest in the 40-year-old point guard.

Paul, who could be a solid backup to Harden, averaged 8.8 points and 7.4 assists in 28 minutes last season, playing in all 82 games. He shot 42.7% from the field and 37.7% from 3-point range.

Leonard has two years remaining on his contract, so the Harden deal keeps them on similar timelines.